CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2013 Nissan Altima has multiple problem trends including the CVT transmission, and now that this model is out of warranty, it earns our "Avoid Like The Plague" badge.

Owners complain about vibration and transmission failure related to the CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission), a whining noise from the power steering pump, and constant windshield problems that appear to be the result of poor design.

Be warned: the 2014 & 2015 Nissan Altima appears to share these same problems.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
8 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
58,689 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2013 Nissan Altima drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2013 Nissan Altima:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2013 Nissan Altima Owner Comments (Page 10 of 25)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #307

Aug 012018

Altima

  • 74,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

In 2018 initially it started when we were driving it down the highway or street and it seem to lose power and we would press on the gas and it would sputter. There were times when we're at the stoplight and press on the gas and it wouldn't move creating a dangerous situation. This happened for about 2 months until it wouldn't move in drive or reverse, so towed home then to dealership because of a recall on a transmission control module only to find out from the service department that they could not update the control module because the vehicle would not move they did a diagnostic test and said we needed a cvt automatic transaxle assembly transmission. We bought it used in 2016 and now it only has 74,000 miles on it. Never had a problem out of it until last year 2018. Now when we put it in drive or reverse it will not move.

- Albany, GA, USA

problem #306

Jan 202019

Altima

  • 55,000 miles
At 55,000 miles the car stalled while driving. I was at a stop light when it stalled. Was able to restart, but every time it was put into drive, it stalled again. Entire transmission required replacement.

- Mission Viejo, CA, USA

problem #305

Jan 052019

Altima

  • 48,440 miles
While driving on city street, vehicle started to shudder and jerk eventually dying in the middle of the road while traveling with a toddler and wife in the car. Was lucky we were not hit by cars behind us and we managed to restart the car and steer away. Nissan dealership identified an issue with the transmission but were not able to reproduce the problem to provide evidence for claiming warranty. My car has 48.450 miles on it and was purchased new in Nov 2012. Dealership returned the car asking me to come back when problem becomes more frequent. I am forced to drive a car with transmission issues and risking myself to an accident.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #304

Jan 032019

Altima

  • 53,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

When coming to a red light on a one lane highway with a light. Light turned red, when coming to a stop, the car began shaking. I was behind another car and was afraid because the car was shuttering, jerkin, shaking so much I did not feel like I had control of the car. Once I stopped, the car engine shut off. The light turned green, but I was unable to move my car. When I tried to start the car, it would run in park, but when I put it in drive, it would stall out. I was stranded in the middle of an intersection. I could move by car by slight inches every time I restarted the engine and would stall out. Just enough to move the major of my car out of the intersection. Eventually, the battery died and I was towed to a local mechanic. This problem started the day before when I was going to work. I also, took my vehicle to the Nissan dealership I had bought the vehicle from months prior, because the car would shake and shut off when I came to complete stops at street light and stop signs. After, a diagnostic test I was told nothing was wrong. At that time, I was under warranty, I no longer am.

- Fairview, PA, USA

problem #303

Dec 122018

Altima

  • 128,300 miles
Transmission failed, car being to jerk and jerk then ride out smoothly this happened over a period of time, (5-6 months) then finally it got so bad that you could barely drive the car. Now the care will not drive it stalls and barely move when put in gear, transmission has failed.

- Melbourne, FL, USA

Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...

problem #302

Dec 202018

Altima

  • 123,000 miles
The vehicle will stutter and sometimes stall when stopped and in drive. It is also often sluggish when accelerating. I have had it in for service a number of times, the most recent indicating it is likely a transmission issue and the cvt will need to be replaced. The issue started in spring, 2017, but has gotten worse recently. I have noticed there is a technical service bulletin associated with this condition (ntb 15-086G).

- Chesterton, IN, USA

problem #301

Nov 012016

Altima

  • 48,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Altima. While the engine was idling, the vehicle suddenly stalled. While driving various speeds, the vehicle jerked. The vehicle was taken to quirk Nissan(600 southern artery, quincy, MA) where it was diagnosed that the transmission was faulty and needed to be replaced. The transmission was replaced, but the failure recurred approximately 18 months and 6,000 miles later. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who stated that the replacement transmission was faulty. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 48,000.

- Quincy, MA, USA

problem #300

Dec 182018

Altima

  • 70,000 miles
Cvt judder - code P17F1

- Fair Lawn, NJ, USA

problem #299

Oct 182018

Altima

  • 70,800 miles
I am angry and very upset that Nissan is not stepping up and taking responsibility for the defective cvt transmissions that they have been installing in their vehicles, specifically the Altima.I own a 2013 Altima sv that is a danger on the road and to me that had to be parked.I began researching the problem and was astounded to read about the many class action lawsuits that are pending because of the transmission problems that have been concealed by Nissan though they were aware of these issues in 2012.interestingly enough I understand that Nissan uses cvt's designed and manufactured by jatco, a majority 'owned subsidiary of Nissan.a little conflict of interest perhaps and the real reason for the hesitation to initiate a recall" Nissan is being unjustly enriched at the expensive of their customers.my transmission reacts in the same manner as many of those described in the 37 pages of car complaints posted at 'lemmon law.com' my car at 70,800 miles began revving.the vehicle would stall and although the engine could be re-started the transmission would not engage in drive or reverse, the same complaint many people have described. This would occur with no warning causing an extreme hazard to me and others. I understand that Nissan was forced to extend the warranty from a class action suit on vehicles 2007 to 2010 models with the same cvt transmission. Nissan needs to take responsibility and do the same for the newer models. Why doesn't Nissan care about safety, about customer satisfaction and taking responsibility for a defect that you have been aware of" their CEO has been arrested for financial improprieties.just think about how that makes all of us feel.here we are getting ripped off while the people on the top benefit.Nissan should take responsibility and extend the warrant period on the power train to 10 years 120,000 miles like you have in the past.

- Newton, NJ, USA

problem #298

Dec 102018

Altima

  • 56,000 miles
When vehicle is put in gear it stalls. Nissan service department examined and is transmission failure. Now needs a new transmission. Vehicle has only 56,000 miles. While driving vehicle was on way to doctor appointment as I was stopping at light vehicle quit running.

- Louisville, OH, USA

problem #297

Oct 182018

Altima

  • 70,800 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The transmission started revving, then stall out without any warning. Upon re-starting it, it would not engage in drive or reverse. Just stall out again. This is a serious safety problem. Nissan knows about it since they recalled the 2007 to 2010 models but have not recalled the 2012-2013 later models as yet. There are many complaints filed as well as several lawsuits pending. Nissan should step up and take responsibility for a defect they have know about for some time. While their CEO was arrested for financial improprieties, Nissan is being unjustly enriched at the expensive of their customers.

- Newton, NJ, USA

problem #296

Nov 282018

Altima

  • 63,500 miles
While driving on city busy street at 35 mph downhill, the car shudder and stopped. It lost power to all of its electrical and mechanical component. It was a busy office hour and so very dangerous, I somehow managed to steer the car to the side of the road and stop it. Trying to start the car again, engine will turn on in parking or neutral but as soon as switched to drive or reverse, it will shudder and stall. Took it to the dealership to find it is a cause of faulty torque converter. The torque converter gave away without any sign or warnings. The car drove fine until the second before this happened. It could have happened at an interstate highway with high speeds and caused an unavoidable mishap. This issue should be looked in for thousands of people's safety that drive Nissan.

- Twinsburg, OH, USA

problem #295

Nov 282018

Altima

  • 46,000 miles
Vehicle in motion on highway, engine shut off unable to move vehicle to shoulder of road, was able to restart and drive back to home, a second time car stopped at a street signal. Took vehicle to purchasing dealer, odometer reading 46000 miles, dealer stated problems was cvt transmission, all warranties have expired. Dealer advised that new transmission would cost out of pocket toatal$350. Wife has similar vehicle year 2015 and experiencing same issues, vehicle should be in warranty for transmission repair.

- Santa Fe Springs, CA, USA

problem #294

Nov 302018

Altima

  • 89,000 miles
Replaced cvt at 89,000 miles. At 100,000 miles new transmission needs replaced.

- Monticello, IL, USA

problem #293

Nov 282018

Altima

  • 92,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Altima. While driving 75 mph uphill, the vehicle decelerated as the accelerator pedal was depressed down to the floorboard. Also, the ignition and traction control warning indicators illuminated. The contact pulled over, turned off the vehicle, and allowed the vehicle to cool down in an attempt to remedy the failure. When the vehicle was restarted, it began to vibrate and shudder. The vehicle was taken to fontana Nissan (16444 S highland ave, fontana, ca 92336, (909) 574-2288) where it was diagnosed that the transmission failed and further testing was needed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 92,000.

- Fontana, CA, USA

problem #292

Apr 012017

Altima

  • 38,000 miles
I bought my car used in October of 2016 with I believe around 20,000 miles on it. The car ran like a top for a while, but eventually the car started lunging intermittently, making loud scraping noise when accelerating and losing power to the wheels and red-lining the rpms. I've taken the car to the dealership 3 times and have heard Nissan employees state "these have problems" "they are terrible" "that's just how cvts are" yet they won't fix or replace it. I am now at 60,200 miles and the power train warranty just ran out. The dealership won't fix or replace it and I have a case open with Nissan of America. This is a massive safety issue. If I am in an intersection and my car decides to not work, I could be killed. This is honestly terrifying and I seemingly have very little recourse. I am doing everything I can to get this dealt with by Nissan. They gave a me quote for $4200 to replace the cvt which is ridiculous for a 5 year old car with 60K miles on it that has been well taken care of.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #291

Nov 012018

Altima

  • 78,000 miles
First issue: Went to open inside driver door and heard something snap. Now the door handle just flops back and forth without opening the door. Second issue: I put my foot on the break and tried to move the gear shifter from park to reverse. The button that you would press to shift wouldn't move. Now my car is stuck in park. Both of these issues happened with the car stopped. My only issues is someone with the same car and same year has had both issues happen the them as well. The only difference between our car is mine has 78,000 miles and hers has 56000 miles.

- Miamisburg, OH, USA

problem #290

Nov 252018

Altima

  • 56,000 miles
2013 Nissan Altima sl - like so many others, right around 55K, delayed response when accelerating. Sudden loss of ability to accelerate or drive any power occurred on highway. Car stalled in dangerous location in middle of highway; complete inability to accelerate.

- Toluca Lake, CA, USA

problem #289

Nov 152018

Altima

  • 85,000 miles
The transmission fails to accelerate properly. Had it serviced several times including changing the transmission fluid. Only 85K miles, and the car completely choked only reaching 20 mph while trying to accelerate to merge into the highway. Currently getting serviced at Nissan of bakersfield, have 4 days and no response as to what the issue could be.

- Bakersfield, CA, USA

problem #288

Nov 012018

Altima

  • 65,000 miles
My vehicle has 65K miles and has began to have sticking gears. The problem is is that after starting the car the gear will not move when pressing the breaks and lock release button. The problem occurs 7/10 times. This is a wide spread problem after 50K miles but Nissan refuses to recall the 2013 Nissan Altima models. The gear also gets stuck in drive when to where I can't move it to other gears when the car is in drive. This recently happened while at the car was and I was trying to switch to neutral.

- Grand Prairie, TX, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?